Patricia "Patty" Herkimer

Patricia "Patty" Wray Herkimer, 80, of Bakersfield, completed her journey on Tuesday February 9, 2016. Patty was born on January 4, 1936 in Visalia, California to Walter and Claire Prettyman. Patty lived and grew up in Ivanhoe, and graduated in 1954 from Visalia Union High School. Patty married Carl Gretlein and moved to Bakersfield, where together they had four children, Craig, Carla, Curt and Casey. In 1976 Patty married Fred Herkimer, and they began a life together in Taft. She was very active in the Taft community and was a member of the Desk and Derek, and Soroptimist clubs. It was during this time that she was employed by Mobil Oil at the Belridge Field office, and later was the Office Manager at Herkco Pump Service. Patty and Fred loved to dance, and were active members of the Taft Dance Club. They were easily found on a Friday or Saturday night "cutting a rug" at the local dance halls around the town. Patty and Fred enjoyed travelling with Fred's sister and brother in-law, Margie and Easy Ezell. They traveled the United States in their fifth wheel, going from coast to coast sharing the many memories with family and friends. In their retirement, Fred and Patty moved to Oceano California, where they enjoyed the coastal weather and friends for 19 years. Patty was best known by family and friends for her award winning pies, passion for handbags, lip stick, perfume, and festive attire and will be truly missed by her family and many friends. Patty is preceded in death by her loving husband of 35 years, Fred Herkimer, parents Claire and Walter Prettymen, son Carl Curt Gretlein, and brother Michael Prettyman. Patty is survived by her children, Craig Gretlein, Carla and Tom Auch of Bakersfield, Casey and Claudia Gretlein of Nipomo; sisters-in-law Darlene Prettyman of Clovis and Margie Ezell of Oceano; grandchildren, Christian and Amanda Gretlein, Carson and Jennifer Gretlein of Bakersfield, Craig and Cathleen Gretlein of Indiana, Carly and Chad Copeman of Davis, Casey Auch of Bakersfield, Claire and Caleb Gretlein of Nipomo; and six great-grandchildren. A graveside memorial will be held at the West Side Cemetery in Taft, at 10 am on Friday, February 19, 2016.

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